From hoop dreams to football recruit: Ben Davis senior makes pick, more local commitments

Indianapolis Star

5 days ago

Like a lot of Indianapolis athletes who grow up with a basketball in their hands, Robert Reddick thought his future — possibly his college future — would be in that sport.
Not that Reddick ever gave up the game. He is still playing hoops going into his senior year at Ben Davis. But around the end of his freshman year and going into his sophomore year, Reddick realized his size and talents might be better suited for a future in football.
'It got put in my brain first by (then Ben Davis coach) Jason Simmons,' Reddick said. 'He believed I'd have a good shot at being a Power 5 guy (in football). And when you're talking about 6-1 or 6-2 in basketball vs. football, it makes a big difference.'
Reddick's football talent as a defensive back led to multiple scholarship offers. The three-star prospect committed to Kansas over his other finalists — Purdue, Illinois, Northern Illinois and Toledo. Reddick, who committed on his official visit last week, said he developed a strong connection to defensive backs coach Brandon Shelby, along with defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald.
'They are really transparent,' Reddick said. 'It was like talking to one of my high school coaches or an extended parent. Once I got on my visit, all of my questions were pretty much answered and some more.'
Kansas recruited Reddick as a cornerback, though the door is left open to possibly playing elsewhere in the secondary. He is rated as the No. 29 in-state prospect in the 2026 class by 247Sports. Kansas has another in-state commitment in its high school recruiting class in Westfield offensive lineman Malachi Mills.
The Jayhawks have 18 commitments in the recruiting class, which currently ranks No. 24 by 247Sports.
Last season, Reddick had 34 tackles and caught one touchdown pass. He will likely play a role on both sides of the ball for the Giants as a senior.
'I'm going to be a big leader out there,' he said. 'I'll be a vocal leader playing both ways. We've been doing really well (in June), taking good steps toward the end of the summer.'
Reddick, who played in the Charlie Hughes Shootout with the Ben Davis basketball team over the weekend, said he plans to play basketball as a senior.
'Playing basketball means a little bit more now since it's going to be my last year playing organized basketball,' he said.
It is hot. It is June. And we are drinking from a fire hose of football commitments. Getting caught up on the most recent Central Indiana football commitments in the rising senior class:
∎ Kobe Cherry, Center Grove: The 6-5, 285-pound Cherry committed to Purdue on Monday night after taking an official visit over the weekend. Cherry, the brother of former Center Grove star quarterback Tyler Cherry, who is now at IU, missed his junior year with a knee injury. He picked the Boilermakers over IU and Wisconsin. Cherry is also a standout baseball player.
∎ Jerimy Finch Jr., Warren Central: The second-ranked in-state prospect in the 2026 class by 247Sports, Finch announced his commitment to Alabama on Sunday. The 6-3, 260-pound Finch picked the Crimson Tide over his other four finalists: Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Purdue and Tennessee. Finch took an official visit to Alabama at the end of May. He also took official visits to each of his other four finalists.
∎ Dominick Barry, Center Grove: Wake Forest swooped in and gained a commitment from one of the state's top prospects after an official visit. The 6-4, 225-pound Barry, a versatile tight end, caught 31 passes for 237 yards and five TDs last season. Barry, rated as the No. 18 in-state player by 247Sports, had been offered by Cincinnati, Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Pitt, Purdue, Washington and Wisconsin, among others.
∎ Muna Newman-Nwodika, Pike: The 6-5, 230-pound Newman-Nwodika committed to Western Michigan after picking up an offer earlier in the month. The defensive lineman also had an offer from Grand Valley State. He also plays on Pike's basketball team.
∎ Brady Weber, Center Grove: The 6-5, 275-pound offensive tackle committed to Ball State over offers from Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Middle Tennessee State and Western Michigan.
∎ Breck Mallory, Lawrence North: The 6-3, 215-pound linebacker was one of the standouts for Lawrence North's 11-1 team last season, making 130 tackles (28 for loss) with five sacks, two caused fumbles, two blocked punts and two defensive touchdowns. He picked Western Michigan over Bowling Green, Grand Valley State, Illinois State and Kent State.
∎ Zyon Hill, Cathedral: The 6-4, 200-pound Hill had four interceptions last season. He picked up an offer from Ball State and committed a few days later over offers from Butler, Sacramento State and Western Illinois.
∎ Gannon Knowles, Cathedral: The 6-1, 215-pound linebacker committed to Ball State after receiving an offer last month. Knowles was one of the leaders of Cathedral's defense last season, making 57 tackles, including 14 ½ for loss, with three sacks and three caused fumbles. His father Jeff is the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Ball State.
∎ Zion Haney, Bishop Chatard: The 6-4, 275-pound offensive lineman committed to Ball State over offers from Army, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois State, Western Illinois and Western Kentucky. Haney was a IFCA Junior All-State selection last year.
∎ Caleb Scott, Ben Davis: The 6-2, 215-pound Scott committed to Army over offers from Dartmouth, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Toledo, UMass and Western Michigan. Scott made 40 tackles last season, including 6 ½ for a loss.
∎ Abe Walling, New Palestine: The 6-3, 255-pound offensive lineman committed to Army over offers from Colgate and Navy. Walling also had 33 tackles on the defensive side last season for the Class 4A state champions.